Compare Withings ScanWatch Nova vs Garmin Lily 2

ECG functionality was usually praised as easy, useful, or medically meaningful, though one reviewer noted setup delays and another found it movement-sensitive.

The absence of ECG is criticized as a gap, especially given the product’s price and female-focused positioning.

Blood oxygen tracking was generally useful and easy once working, though one reviewer needed several attempts to get an SpO2 reading.

Pulse Ox/SpO2 is treated skeptically, with reviewers warning that it can hurt battery life and produce readings that seem too low.

Materials quality was praised through references to robust glass, rotating bezel construction, and premium materials.

One reviewer criticized the aluminum build as cheaper and less durable than stainless steel.

Temperature tracking was viewed as medically useful by several reviewers, though one reviewer questioned its wrist accuracy and another found it irrelevant day to day.

Multiple reviewers treated the missing temperature sensor as a meaningful weakness for a female-focused wearable and period prediction.

Calorie estimates earned praise in one review as more accurately rendered than the reviewer's previous Fitbit experience.

Calorie estimates are mixed, with one reviewer calling them slightly off and another finding them more generous than other devices.

Brightness handling was praised for automatic adjustment, although the evidence is limited to the small OLED display.

Several reviewers wanted the monochrome display to be brighter, especially through the patterned lens or outdoors.

Call handling is basic but useful as a screening alert, rather than a full phone-call experience from the watch.

Android quick replies are useful, but iPhone users repeatedly lose reply and call-response functions, making call handling limited.

GPS-linked tracking drew repeated complaints about connection gaps and missing map routes, reinforcing the lack of robust built-in GPS.

Connected GPS works well when paired, but reviewers repeatedly note that phone dependence limits true GPS usefulness.

Durability evidence was limited but positive, with one reviewer saying the watch still looked pristine after travel and rough handling.

Durability evidence is mixed, with praise for the aluminum upgrade but criticism that aluminum is cheaper and less durable than steel.

Fit was mixed: some reviewers achieved a good or problem-free fit, while one struggled with the metal strap being too tight or too loose.

The small case and strap setup are praised for fitting small wrists and wearing snugly.

Smartwatch features were consistently limited, with reviewers framing the Nova as a health-focused hybrid rather than a full smartwatch.

Smartwatch features are useful but intentionally lean, with reviewers noting fewer advanced tools than broader smartwatches.

Charging speed was viewed positively, with reviewers describing full recharges from under an hour to a respectable two hours.

Charging is acceptable in some reviews but often criticized as slower than Apple Watch-style fast charging and requiring planning for 24/7 wear.

Software smoothness was supported by seamless watch-app syncing in two reviews.

Gesture wake and false-pause behavior improved, but some display wake behavior still feels sluggish in other reviews.

Outdoor visibility was mixed: some reviewers found the OLED readable in sunlight, while others struggled with direct sun or reflections.

Outdoor visibility is mostly praised, especially by DC Rainmaker and DesFit, though one reviewer found sunny conditions harder.

The companion app was repeatedly praised as clear, efficient, user-friendly, powerful, and good at presenting health and activity data.

Garmin Connect is divisive: some reviewers find it detailed and intuitive, while others call it clunky or hard to navigate.

Battery life was one of the strongest points, with reviewers repeatedly reporting weeks of use and little battery anxiety.

Most reviewers found battery life close to Garmin’s multi-day claim, often four to five days, though one heavy-use YouTube review saw only about three and a half days.

Watch face quality was mixed, with easier time reading and a premium analog face offset by weak lume in some reviews.

Watch-face and patterned-lens opinions are mostly negative, with complaints about limited options, flatness, and design compromises.

Value was mixed: reviewers often called it expensive, but some felt the design, build, battery life, and health tools could justify the price.

Value depends on priorities: reviewers justify the price for style and wellness, but criticize missing features at this price.

Workout variety was mixed: one reviewer found options limited, another called workout tracking less comprehensive, while another appreciated broad automatic activity support.

Workout variety is mixed: reviewers like the added profiles and dance modes, but often miss indoor cycling or sports options.

Control feedback was mixed: the crown interface could feel intuitive, but the crown or bezel placement could also be awkward to manipulate.

The no-button design and pseudo-button are a recurring frustration, especially for pausing workouts or navigating during activity.

Fitness tracking accuracy was mixed, ranging from good workout measurements to specific inaccuracies in automatically logged activities.

Core activity tracking is generally praised as accurate for casual exercise, though unsupported sports can reduce accuracy.

Reviewers liked that activity detection can work reliably and conveniently, but several also found false or incomplete auto-detected sessions.

Walk detection is praised as reliable in several reviews, though automatic Move IQ entries are considered thin on detail.

Water resistance was viewed as capable but not class-leading, with one reviewer comparing it unfavorably to Apple Watch Ultra 2 and another noting a significant 10ATM bump.

One review positively notes that the 5ATM rating allowed showering, bathing, swimming, and pool length counting.

Menu navigation was praised as easy and intuitive through the rotating crown.

Menu navigation is usually described as straightforward or intuitive, though one reviewer notes a learning curve.

The user interface was split between intuitive simplicity and the limitations of a passive, small-display interface.

The interface is mixed-to-positive: one reviewer found it fine, while another praised the watch and app interface as intuitive.

Pairing and syncing were praised as simple and seamless in the supporting reviews.

Phone/GPS pairing is strongly praised in DC Rainmaker evidence, with connections working consistently in testing.

Heart rate accuracy received strong support from one reviewer who compared it favorably with a chest strap.

Heart-rate tracking receives broad praise, often matching or staying close to chest straps, Apple Watch, Polar, or Oura comparisons.

Charging convenience split reviewers: the newer cradle was praised by one reviewer, but several others called the charger cheap, inelegant, or lacking wireless convenience.

The proprietary clip is a drawback because losing or forgetting it can leave the user stuck.

Cross-platform support was supported by one positive app review noting iOS/Android availability and integration with major health platforms.

One reviewer praised the Lily 2 Classic for integrating smoothly with both Android and Apple devices.

Customization evidence was limited but positive, with one reviewer valuing the ability to reorder workout options and screens in the app.

Reviewers like the band and sport-profile flexibility, especially the standard bands and ability to keep all profiles on the watch.

Mapping evidence was negative in one review, where the app produced a black-screen map for a recorded route.

Mapping is a weakness because accurate route and map data require carrying a phone.

Withings' broader app and device ecosystem was praised for combining watch data with scales and other health products in a useful dashboard.

Garmin Connect and the broader Garmin ecosystem earn praise for subscription-free data access, training resources, desktop analysis, and motivating badges.

Display quality was generally legible and improved, but its small size and smartwatch limitations caused mixed reactions.

Display opinions are mixed: visibility and contrast can be good, but several reviewers call the monochrome hidden screen flat or basic.

Coaching-style insights were considered useful when they translated health data into behaviors or an actionable overview.

Garmin’s subscription-free courses, prepared trainings, and plans are praised as helpful ecosystem-level coaching support.

Style and design were the most consistent strengths, with reviewers praising its analog look, elegance, premium feel, and compliment-worthy appearance.

Style and design are the product’s strongest consensus win: reviewers praise the elegant, jewelry-like look and discreet size.

Wellness insights were praised when they made health data actionable, contextual, or useful for spotting broader health risks.

Body Battery, stress, sleep summaries, and energy insights are repeatedly praised as useful, motivating wellness guidance.

Sleep tracking accuracy was mixed, with one review finding it pretty accurate and others doubting accuracy or reporting missed sleep periods.

Sleep tracking is mixed: some reviewers found it aligned well, while others saw inaccurate sleep duration or not enough detail.

Comfort was a major strength across reviews, especially for all-day and overnight wear, with lighter models and comfortable bands helping.

Comfort is one of the clearest strengths: reviewers repeatedly say the Lily 2 is light, discreet, and easy to wear day and night.

Build quality came across as premium, with reviewers praising the solid construction, price-appropriate finish, and premium materials.

The aluminum case and overall construction are praised as more premium, solid, and durable than the original Lily.

Step counting accuracy was praised as user-friendly and accurate, including one comparison favoring it over a previous Fitbit.

Step tracking is praised as accurate and reliable in the reviews that evaluate it directly.

Bands were often praised for comfort, flexibility, quality, and included tools, though some reviewers found adjustment imperfect or only liked the metal band best.

Standard quick-release bands are a widely praised upgrade, with most reviewers liking the flexibility; one reviewer disliked the fixed keeper loop.

Notifications were a major tradeoff: some reviewers had no issues or found them readable, but several disliked the limited, non-interactive alert experience.

Notifications are mixed to weak: instant delivery is praised, but iOS limitations and excessive buzzing make them less useful.

Connected workout tracking could drop the watch connection and leave gaps, creating a Bluetooth-related caveat during GPS-linked activities.

Reviewers criticized the lack of Bluetooth/ANT+ broadcasting and direct equipment or external sensor pairing, especially for Peloton-style use.

Safety features were supported by health-risk warning potential, especially around continuous tracking while awake or asleep.

Fall/incident detection, assistance, and LiveTrack are positively received as practical safety tools.

Health tracking accuracy was one of the most praised areas, with reviewers describing accurate sensors, useful health data, and results comparable to other devices.

General health tracking is praised as reliable across basics such as sleep, steps, heart rate, calories, SpO2, and wellness metrics.

Garmin Pay is considered useful, but its value depends heavily on bank support and is limited in some regions.

Reviewers consistently criticize the lack of onboard music storage or playback, limiting phone-free workouts.

Body Battery and recovery-related guidance are praised for helping users decide when to rest or push harder.

User-review evidence says the Lily 2 works well and reliably handles the basics expected from it.

Size evidence was limited to the Brilliant version being suitable for smaller wrists.

Stress tracking is one of the standout wellness features, repeatedly described as great, enjoyable, or excellent.

Third-party app support was a weakness, with reviewers telling app-focused buyers to look elsewhere or comparing it unfavorably with full smartwatches.

Touchscreen responsiveness is a recurring concern, with several reviewers reporting slow response, missed taps, or frustration.